OSHA Accident Investigation · Summary #14200331

VENTILATION,HEADACHE,INHALATION,NAUSEA,INDUSTRIAL TRUCK,DIZZINESS,EXHAUST FUMES,CARBOXYHEMOGLOBIN,TOXIC FUMES,CARBON MONOXIDE

1986-06-26T08:00:00

Event: VENTILATION,HEADACHE,INHALATION,NAUSEA,INDUSTRIAL TRUCK,DIZZINESS,EXHAUST FUMES,CARBOXYHEMOGLOBIN,TOXIC FUMES,CARBON MONOXIDE
Linked inspection: No inspection record linked to this accident's victims.
Summary number: 14200331
Report ID: 352450

Event description

EMPLOYEES EXPOSED TO HIGH LEVELS OF CARBON MONOXIDE

Investigation abstract

AT APPROXIMATELY 8 AM ON JUNE 26, 1986, SEVERAL EMPLOYEES BEGAN WORK AT THE SHOR ROM THE ROOM. MANAGEMENT DECIDED TO SEND NINE AFFECTED EMPLOYEES TO AREA HOSPITA LS AT 11:30 AM. CARBOXYHEMOGLOBIN LEVELS WERE FOUND TO BE AT 13% IN TWO EMPLOYEE S, 12% IN THREE EMPLOYEES AND 11% IN ONE EMPLOYEE. EHAM FOODS TECHNOLOGY FACILITY IN FEDERALSBURG, MARYLAND. THE EMPLOYEES WERE PRO VIDING ASSISTANCE AND RECEIVING TRAINING IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SAMPLES OF A SPIC ED PASTA NOODLE MIX. THEY WERE WORKING IN A 60 BY 70 BY 35 FOOT ROOM. DURING THE PROCESS, PROPANE-POWERED FORK LIFTS WERE USED FOR MATERIAL HANDLING. IT WAS LAT ER DETERMINED THAT ONE OF THE FORK LIFT ENGINES WAS IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED, AND SUS EQUENTLY EMITTED HIGH LEVELS OF CARBON MONOXIDE. THE EMPLOYEES WORKED FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AND 40 MINUTES BEFORE THEY BEGAN COMPLAINING OF HEADACHES, NAUSEA, DIZZY NESS AND LACK OF COORDINATION. THE PROCESS WAS STOPPED AND EMPLOYEES EVACUATED F

Victims (9)

#1 Non-hospitalized injury Age 29 M

Nature of injury
2

Part of body
28

Event type
8

Source
30

Occupation code
688

Human factor
6

Environmental factor
7

Hazardous substance
0560

Task assigned
1
#2 Hospitalized Age 18 M

Nature of injury
2

Part of body
28

Event type
8

Source
30

Occupation code
688

Human factor
6

Environmental factor
7

Hazardous substance
0560

Task assigned
1
#3 Non-hospitalized injury Age 31 F

Nature of injury
2

Part of body
28

Event type
8

Source
30

Occupation code
688

Human factor
6

Environmental factor
7

Hazardous substance
0560

Task assigned
1
#4 Non-hospitalized injury Age 18 M

Nature of injury
2

Part of body
28

Event type
8

Source
30

Occupation code
688

Human factor
6

Environmental factor
7

Hazardous substance
0560

Task assigned
1
#5 Non-hospitalized injury Age 19 M

Nature of injury
2

Part of body
28

Event type
8

Source
30

Occupation code
688

Human factor
6

Environmental factor
7

Hazardous substance
0560

Task assigned
1
#6 Non-hospitalized injury Age 24 F

Nature of injury
2

Part of body
28

Event type
8

Source
30

Occupation code
688

Human factor
6

Environmental factor
7

Hazardous substance
0560

Task assigned
1
#7 Non-hospitalized injury Age 20 M

Nature of injury
2

Part of body
28

Event type
8

Source
30

Occupation code
688

Human factor
6

Environmental factor
7

Hazardous substance
0560

Task assigned
1
#8 Non-hospitalized injury Age 25 F

Nature of injury
2

Part of body
28

Event type
8

Source
30

Occupation code
688

Human factor
6

Environmental factor
7

Hazardous substance
0560

Task assigned
1
#9 Non-hospitalized injury Age 26 M

Nature of injury
2

Part of body
28

Event type
8

Source
30

Occupation code
688

Human factor
6

Environmental factor
7

Hazardous substance
0560

Task assigned
1

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